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Captain of M/Y Bravo Zulu, M/Y Independence, Greg Mitchell dies

Capt. Greg Mitchell, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died at his home in The Villages, Florida, on Dec. 25 following an extended illness. He was 72.

He and his wife Jan worked together on several yachts including M/Y Independence, a 92-foot Broward; M/Y Bravo Zulu, a 92-foot Westship; and M/Y Sylvia’s Surprise, a 95-foot Buccaneer. He especially enjoyed managing the build and commissioning M/Y Bravo Zulu, his wife said. His final yacht job was on M/Y Aurelia Ann, a 94-foot Broward. He had worked onboard through two owners.

Both he and his wife became captains as a mid-life career change; he had previously worked as a aeronautical engineer and served in Australia as a consultant to the Royal Australian Navy.

“Greg was serious, but had a great sense humor,’” Jan Mitchell said. “He was, ‘work hard, play hard.’ He used to say, ‘You can hoot with the owls, but you better be able to fly with the eagles tomorrow.’”

She said he enjoyed mentoring green crew and felt that it was important to help young people work into the industry.

“If someone showed interest, he was a good teacher,” she said. “He could see if they had what takes to be a professional. But if it was the opposite, they would be quick to go.”